Elevator



. July 28., 1931. C, E, WlLCQx 1,816,030

ELEVATOR Filed May 3l. 1950 &

is ,47m/fm? Patented July 28, 11931' 'UNIT-,En [STATES CHARLES E. wrncox, or LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA nLnvA'roR f This inventionrelates to a device for handling well drilling equipment and relates more particularly tov an elevator for handling casing, Idrill pipe., etc'. It is a general object ofi this invention lto provide a safe, dependa-ble, and practical elevator for handlingwel-l drilling tools and equipment.

Elevators are employed in Well ldrilling rigs to handle vari-ous tools and equipment suchas drillA pipe, well casing, etc. It is im- Iporta-itt that Ielevators of this character be strong'andf durable so that they are sale to operate and that they be constructed so as to be leasily and quickly arranged in-position i5, aroundy the part to be handled. Elevators are Otten swung into place around the work while in ymotion and sometimes the gate or door ol 'the elevator is notk properly latched before the elevator is' raisedl to engage a coupling, 'or the like; on the pipe orwork; When this occurs the work or pipe may be raised some ydistance and ymay, then become ydisplaced from the elevator and' fall to the floor of the derrick. i* y IE lt is an object ofthepresent invention to provide an elevator that .isparticularly safe and'dependable to operate and which may be easily and conveniently arranged in position around the work. i v

lt is' lanother object. ol this invention to provide an elevator in which the work embracing and retainingparts areautomatically swung or operated 'together to a closed or latched position' through engagement with the'worlrin" the event thatthey are not properly latched together' prior to actuation of the elevator. f t

lt 7is another object el this invention to providean elevatorol ythe character mentionedv in whichzthe means for automatically operating they 'work engaging sections t'o-` gether' tothe latched position does not interlere with the operation ofV the elevator and Vdoes vnot complicate or weaken the construc- 45ff-ti`0n. Y p y Another object ofthe present invention is to provide an kelevator'o'f the character 4mentioned linxwhic'h` the means' for automatically Y operating' theuwork embracing or' retaining fsectionsto'gether is'entirely automatic 1n its 193e. 'serial no.y 458,406.

operation and does not require manual setting or adjusting.

It yis a further object of this invention to provide an improved latch for releasably retaining the gate of an elevator, or the like, in the closed position.

Other objects and features of my invention will be best and more fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is atop or plan view of the yelevator provided by this invention illustratingI it in operating position around a drill pipe, or the like. Fig. 2 is a view similar to l illus-A trating the gate section in the .open position. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the'elevator show; ing the gate in the closed position. Fig. 4

is a side elevation of the elevator illustrating r the gate in the open position. v Fig. 5 is fan enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated yby line 5 5 on Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a vertical vdetailed sectional view ta-kenpas indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a vertical detailed sectionaly view` taken substantially as indicated by line Tf-7 on Fig. 6, being a View illustrating the gate closing means in the actuated position. Fig. 8 is anv enlarged vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 8 8 on Fig. l. Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical detailedrsectional view taken as indicatedby line 9-9 on 3. Fig. 10 is a. horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicatedv by line lO-lO on Fig. 9, and Fig. ll isxan enlargedv view of thecam means for :automatically closing-the gate. l n

The invention is applicable, generally,to elevators such as are used'in well drilling derricks for handling drill pipe, casing, :andthe like. The invention is particularly suited for embodiment in the side door type of elevator and throughout vthe following' disclosure the inventiony will be described as embodied in a side-door type of elevator for handling drill pipe. It is to be understood that the invention is notte be talrenas limited to the particularlorm'or application about to be described but that it is to be taken as into the latched or closed position around the 1 e. P pThe section A is thevmain` or body section of the elevator and is provided withV a recess or open-sided opening 12 for receiving the pipe P. The walls of the opening 12 are curved or rounded to conform to the conliguration of the pipe. The body section A is preferably made comparatively heavy and may be in the nature of an integral member.

The upper side 13 of the body section A isV `preferably made iiat to effectively receive or support a coupling 14, or the like, on the pipe Means may be provided in connection with the body section A for carrying hails 15 for supporting or suspending the elevator. In the particular case illustrated the body section A is providedat its opposite sides with bail ears 16. There may be two vertically spaced ears 16 projecting from opposite sides of the section A. Pins or bolts 17 may be arranged between the outer parts of each pair of bail ears 16 to prevent displacement of the bails 15 from the ears. The bolts 17 may be slidably arranged through openings 18 in the upper ears 16 andmay have their lower ends screw threaded into openings 19 in the lower ears. Laterallyprojecting pins 2O may be provided on the bolts 17 to lit into or cooperate with bayonet slots 21 in the lower :sides of the upperl ears16 to permit the insertion (Siv and removal of the bails 15 from between theears.

The section B is in the nature of a closure or gate for the open side of the body opening 12 and is adapted to embrace or engage the pipe P to retain it in theopening. The gate section B is adapted to be releasably held in the closed pipeY engaging position byy the means 10. The section B may be substantially semi-circular in plan conguration and is provided with a curved inner side 22 for engaging the pipeP. A suitable handle 23 may be provided on the outer side of the gate section B.

vThe connection C between the sections A and Bis in the nature of a pivotal connection and is such that the sections may be swung Vtogether to engage around or embrace the pipeyP. An end of the gate section B is pivotally connected to the body section A adjacent one side or edge of the body opening 12. The end of the gate sectiony B and the body tions A and B together in position around the pipe P is in thel nature of a releasable latch means for releasably connecting. the

Vfree or outer end of the gate section B with the body section A. In accordance with the broader. principles of the invention any suitable form of latch may be embodied in the elevator for releasably retaining the gate section B in the closed position around the pipe P. In the drawingsI have illustrated an improved latch 27 for latching the gate section B in the pipe retaining position. The latch 27 includes a vertically extending body portion 28 to cooperate with a latch catch or lug 29 on the gate section B, and laterally projecting arms 30 projecting from the portion 28 and pivoted to the body section A. The arms 30 may project inwardly from the opposite ends of the portion 28 and are arranged through horizontal openings 31 in the body section A. The arms 30 are in the nature of'lever arms and are pivoted to the body intermediate theirends on a pivot pin 32 extending vertically through the body, rPhe horizontal openings 31 in the body are sufficiently long to permit the desired limited pivoting of the arms 30 so that the latch may cooperate with and be released from the lug 29.

Means is provided for yieldingly holding the latch in the closed or latching position and for automatically operating the latch upon actuation of the gate section B` tothe closed position. Springs 33 are arranged under compression between'the arms 30 and the walls of the openings 31to yieldingly hold the latch in the closed position. The forward side Vof the lug 29 is beveled to cooperate with the vertical portion 28 of the latch and to cause swinging of the latch upon closing of the gate, while the rear side of the lug 29 is flat to eifectively cooperate with the inner side of the portion 28 to hold the gate section B in the closed position. A handle 35 may be provided on the portion 28 ofthe latch toV facilitate releasing of the latch.

In accordance with the preferred form of the' invention the body section A and the -outer or free end of thev gate section B are .ico

fig-eiaoeo body section A are'provided with parts which overlapv or t together when the gate section is in the lclosed position. In 'the particular form of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the body section A is provided with recesses V36 to receive the end portion of the gate section B and is'provided with a lug 37 between the recesses 36 to lit into a recess 38 in the outer or free end of the gate section B. The lug 38 cooperatesfwith the outer end of the gate section B to positively prevent vertical shifting of the gate section when it is in ,the-closed position.

The means for automatically operating or swinging the sections Al and B,y together around the pipe P is operabler by or through engagement with a coupling 14 on the pipe P to swing lor pivot 'the gate section B to the closed or latched position. In the preferred form of the invention the means 1'1 is incorporated in or provided in connection with they pivotal connection C between thesections Anand B. When theclosing means 11 is provided in connection with the pivotal connection C, the pivotpin 24 is slidable vertically in the openings in the tongues 25 and the body section A.

The means 11 is in the nature 'of a cam means and includes a cam part 40 on the pivot pin 24 to cooperate with a cam face 41 on a tongue 25 of the gate section B to cause pivoting of the gate section B upon downward movement of the pivot pin 24. A laterally projecting head 42 is provided on the upper end of the pivot pin 24. The head 42 is adapted to be engaged by a coupling 1'4, or the like, and preferably extends inwardly' to or adjacentthe edge of the body opening 12. The pivot pin 24 is normally yieldingly held in an upposition where the head 42 projects above theupper side 13 of the body bya coiled spring 44 arrangedbetween a plug 45 screw threaded into the pin carrying opening of ythe body and the lower endv of the pin 24. The spring 44 may eX` tend into a' longitudinal opening 46 in the lower end of the pin 24. A recess 47 may be provided in the upper rside 13 of the body section A to receive the head 42 when it is depressed by the coupling 14 so that its upper sidemay be flush with the side 13 of the body when the coupling 14 issupported on the elevator.

'The cam part 4'()V is adapted to cooperate with the cam face 41 to close the gate section B upon downward movementofjth'e pin 24 through engagement of the coupling 14 with the head 42. The cam part 40 is in the nature of a longitudinally extending projection on the pin 24. The elongated cam part 40 is slidable in Van opening or groove 48 in the body :and 'fits the opening 48 to prevent rotatienv oit the pivot pin 24. .The flower end 49 of 'the cam part 40 is beveled Lor rounded to cooperate Vwith the f'ca'm face `r41 to vcause swinging of the gate section B to the closed position upon downward movement of the pivot pin 24. The cam face 41 constitutes a side and the bottom of a notch 41 formed in the upper side of the uppermost tongue 25. The cam face 41 extends downwardly and inwardly or toward the body section A. from the upper side of the tongue 25. The notch 41a in the tongue 2o is providedwith a fiat vertical side 50 extending upwardly from the lower edge of the cam face 41 which is adapted to receive the cam part 40 to limit therelative movement between the cam part and the gate section. lvVhen the coupling 41 engages the head 42 and causes downward movement of the pivot pin 24 when the gate section B is not in the closed position the cam end 49 of the part 4() rides downwardly along the ycam :face 41 to cause inward pivoting of the gate section B to the closed position where the latch 27 cooperates with the lug 29 to latch the gate section B in the closed position. A screw 44 may be screw threaded through an opening in the body section A and may extend into a longitudinal groove 45 in the pivot pin 24 to prevent displacement of the pivot pin.

In employing the elevator it is operated to a position where the drill pipe P extendsinto the body opening 12vand the gate section B is swung to the closed position around the pipe so that the latch 27 automatically retains the gate sectionin the closed position. The elevator may then be operated upwardly to engage a coupling 14, or the like, and raise or suspend the pipe. In the event that the gate section B is not swung to the latehed or ycompletely closed position before raising of the elevator, upward movement of the elevator brings the head 42 into engagement with a coupling 14, or the like. Engagement of the head 42 with the coupling causes depression or downward movement of the pin 24 and causes cooperation between the cam part 40 .and the cam face 41. Upon downward movement of the pin 24 vthe lower end 49 of Athe cam part 40 operates along the inclined cam face 41 and positively causes closing of thega-te section Bso that the latch 27 cooperates with thel lug 29. The gate section B may be readily released from the latched position by releasing the latch 27. When the gate sectionB is in the closed position the cam part 40 is in vertical alignment with the lower end of the cam tace 41 sothat downward movement of the pin 24 when the gate section is in this position does not canse cooperation between the campartyand the face 41.

Itis to be `noted that the invention provides Yan elevator that is particularly convenient and safe to operate. The means 11 for automatical'ly swinging the gate section to the closed position does not in any way interfere' with the normal handling or oper-ation of rthe elevator. The means 11 does notinclude any parts projecting into the pipe receiving opening of the elevator and does not interfere with free swinging of the gate section B dur-V ing normal operation. The, construction is particularly simple and sturdy and does not require manual setting or adjusting. The means 11 is entirely automatic in its operation and operates independently of the manual actuation of the gate section B. A

Having described only a typical preferred form of my invention,1 do not wish to limit myself toV the specific details set forth, but wish to reserve to myself 'any changes or variations that may appearto those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims, f f

Having described my invention, I claini: l. An elevator including, two sections Vadapted to be arranged around an object, and means pivotally connecting the lsections and operable by a projecting part on the objectVV to operate the sections together around the obj ect. Y

2. An elevator including, two sections adapted to be arranged around an object, means pivotally connecting the sections, and means operable throughengageinent with a projection on the object to swing the sections together around the object, including a cam part on the first-mentioned means operable to engage and operate one of the sections.

3. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted'to be arranged around an object, and means at the pivotal connection between the sections operable through engagement with a projection on the object to operate the sections together around the object.

4. An elevatorincluding,two sect-ions adapted to be arranged around an object, means piv-v otally connecting the sections, latch means for releasably holding the sections together around the object, andV means combined with said pivotal connecting means operable through engagement with a projection on the obj ect to operate the sections together around the obj ect. j

5. An elevator including, two sections adapted to be arranged around an object, a pivot'pin pivotally connecting the sections, and means operable by a projecting part on Y the object to operate the sections together around the object, including a cam part onv sections together around the obj ect including,

Va slidable pin pivotally connecting'the sections and adapted to be connected by the projecting part, and a cam part on the pin for engaging a section. v

7. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to be arranged around an object, and means operable by a projecting partouthe object'to operate the sections together around the obj ect including, a slidable pivot pin pivotally connecting the sections, acam face on a section, Va cam part on the pin for cooperating with the cam face, and means yieldingly holding the pin in a position where it is engageable by the projecting part on the object. v

8. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to beV arranged around an object, latch means for releasably latching the sections together around the object, and means operable by a projection on they object to operate the sections together to actuate the latch means including, a slidable pivot pin pivotally Vconnecting the sections and slidably operable by the projection, and a cam on the pin for engaging a section.

9. In an elevator, two sections, onea body having an opening to receive Van object, the

other a gate adapted to retain an obj ectin the s opening, a pivot .pin connecting the sections, the pivot pin being slidable, and means for automatically closing the gate, including a part on the pin adapted to be engaged by a- Y projection on the object, a cam face on the gate, and a cam on the pin for engaging the cam face. s Y

10. In an elevator, two sections, one a body having an opening to receive an object, the

other a gate adapted to retain an object in the opening, a pivot pin connecting the sections, the VVpivot pin being slidable, and means for automatically closing the gate, includlee ing a part on the pin adapted to be engaged by a projection on the object, means for yieldingly holding tlie pin up where the p art is engageable by the projection, a cam face on the gate, and a cam on the pin for engaging the cam face. v

` 11. 1n an elevator, two sections, one a body having an opening to receive an object, the other a gate adapted to retain an object in the opening, a pivot pin connecting the sections, the pivot pin being slidable, latch means for automatically latcliing the gate closed, and

Ameans operable by a projection on the object to operate the gateto a position to actuate the latch means including, a part on the pin engageable by the projection, a cam face on the gate section, and a cam on the pin to cooperate with the cam face. A

12. An elevator including, two pivotally connected sections adapted to be arranged around an object, and means, operableby a projecting part on the object to operate the sections together around the object including, a slidable pivot pin pivotally connecting the sections, a cam face on a'section, a cam-part on 4the pin for cooperating' with the cam face, and means yieldingly holding the pin in a poiio izo

ston Where it is free of the cam face and Where itis engageable by the projecting part 011 the object.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 23d day of May, 1930.

CHARLES E. WILCOX. 

